Rotary buff



M. SCHLOSS May 5, 1953 ROTARY BUFF 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20. 1951.

INVENTOR. I/OAR/S .S'cnoss ATTOREEYS M. SCHLOSS May 5, 1953 ROTARY BUFF3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20. 1951 I N V EN TOR. Ala/591s .S'cmoss y5, 1953 M. SCHLOSS 2,637,149

ROTARY BUFF Filed July 20. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

4a Mae/s Sc/moss BY fialmi A TTOR NE Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ROTARY BUFF Morris Schloss, Bronx, N. Y.

Application July 20,- 1951, Serial No. 2375750 14 Claims. 51-193) Thepresent invention pertains to improvements in rotary buffs, being acontinuation in part of my copending application Serial Number 776,302,dated September 26, 194:7, which matured into Patent Number 2,576,364 onNovember 2'7, 1951.

An object of the invention is to provide an annular buffing section ofimproved firmness and strength, formed of bias-cut'iaoric includingprincipal working or warp threads charac terised by greater stifiness',hardness or toughness than the accompanying soft filler or woof threads,and in which all the said working or warp threads in the. working zoneof the but? are inclined from the radial in the same rotationaldirection.

A further object is to provide a bufling section of the above typeparticularly adaptable to heavy loads and high speeds.

A further object is to provide such a bufiing. section having aplurality of helically related internal plies preferably formed of acontinuous strip of the above-noted type of bias-cut fabric, butincluding an individual outer guard ply of continuous construction oneach side ofthe heli cally constructed portion, by which means flappingor catching of either end of the helical strip is prevented, regardlessof the direction of rotation.

Another object is to provide an annular buffing section of the: abovetype in which the fabric is formed in a series of uniform convolutionspacked and clamped at the inner zone of the annulus and tapering outwardto shallow waves at the outer circumference, each convolution comprisingall plies of the section whereby the plies are mutually supporting infirm relation.

A still further object is to provide improved holding and .einfo'rcing:means. for the. inner cone of the convolutions, preferably including acomhination of clamping pressure, and metallic stapling.

Another objectis to provide a bufiing section of the above type inwhich; the contour and firmness of the radially tapering" convolutiousare to provide a centrifugal fanning action.

Still another object is to provide such a buffer section including animproved hub. plate having fan means to supply cooling air totheinterior or the section equally effectively in either direction ofrotation of the buff.

Gther objects and advantages of the inven tion will become evidentduring the course of the following description in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a preferred form of the improvedbufiin'g section;

Figure 2' a reduced edgewise view of the same;

Figure. 3 is an axialv elevation of the same in the direction Figure; 2;

Figure 4; is a similar axial. elevation in the direction 2-4, Figure 2,;

Figure 5. is a iraginental sectional view of a pair of fan tabs;

Figure 6 illustrates a plurality of the sectionssecured on a suitablerotary shaft;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmental rview illustrating the operation ofrearwardly inclined peripheral working or warp threads in the rotarybuffing section;

Figures "is a similar view illustrating the operation with theperipheral working threads inclined forwardly;

Figure 9 illustrates a web of fabric of suitable type for malring theimproved bufi;

Figure 10 illustrates the bias cutting of the web into sections;

Figure 11 shows a plurality of the bias-cut sections served end-to-end.to form a continuous strip of any desired length, illustrating theunidirectional slant of all. the warp or working threads;

Figure 12 shows a preferred. first step in forming a buffin section, byrolling the bias-cut strip into a hollow cylinder;

Figure 13 is a line diagram illustrating the outer and inner plies oithe cylinder cut for formingthe guard plies;

Figure 14 is a similar diagram showing the ends of the guard pliesjoined to form continuous cylindrical plies;

Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the tendency for the leading cornerof an unguarded spiral bull to catch or flap as objects engage it, and

Figure 16 is a similar diagram illustrating how such catching orflapping is prevented by the guard plies of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the numeral it generally denotes anannular rotary bufiing section comprising a plurality of layers ofbiascut fabric having relatively stiff warp threads supported by softwoof threads, the inner plies 2| being preferably formed from a singlestrip disposed in generally helical relation, while the outer two plies22 and 23, hereinafter termed guard plies, are individual plies ofcontinuous construction. All plies are drawn together in a series ofuniform convolutions Figure l, forming the inner circumference of theannulus.

The convolutions 2d are tightly pressedand held together in thefollowing manner: A hub plate 26, preferably of metal, is placed on oneside of the annulus and a binder ring 2'5 is placed on the oppositeside. lhe ring and plate are pressed toward each other, compressing theconvolutions tightly, and a row of metallic staples 28 is driven throughthe assembly and clinched, thus binding the part permanently together.The staples 2% of the row are preferably slanted as shown in Figure 3,in order to insure even double stapling through all convolutions it andprovide in the inner zone of the buff a reinforced unitary structure ofgreat strength. The diagonal arrangement of the staples accomplishes theabove result while allowing staples of adjacent buffing sections to nesttogether after the manner of a dog clutch, preventing tendency to rotaryslippage and surface riding of staples between such adjacent sections.Due to the construction described, the buff may be operated successfullyat speeds much higher than those at which prior buffs tend to fly apartunder centrifugal force. However, the shape of the convolutions 24provides small interstices 25 through which ventilating air may pass ashereinafter noted.

The hub plate 26 is provided with a central hole 29, Figures 1, 3 and 4,adapted to fit a rotary shaft 36 as shown in Figure 6. The inner edge ofthe plate is extruded axially and rolled outward at 3! to embracefrictionally the inner edge of an auxiliary plate or shutter 32. Theshutter is formed with a plurality of pairs of oppositely inclined tabsor fan blades 33 and 33a, while the hub plate 26 is provided with aseries of spaced openings 34. The plate 32 is held in the rolled joint3| with sufficient friction to prevent accidental turning, but may berotatively adjusted to bring the blades 33and 33a into any desiredregistry with the openings 34. Referring to detail Figure 5, theauxiliary plate or shutter 32 may be set as shown in full lines when theotation is that indicated by the full arrow, the

blades 33 being adapted to drive air through a the openings 34. Forrotation in the opposite direction the plate 32 is set as shown indotand-dash lines the blades 33a being operatively registered with theopenings 34 to scoop the air therethrough. The amount of air blown maybe varied as desired by adjusting the plate or shutter 32 to close offvarious portions of the openings 34, up to and including completeclosure if no circulation should be required in certain cases.

It will be evident the combination described not only provides wideadiustability, but also provides equally efficient forced draft throughthe plate 26 in either direction of rotation. The reason for andadvantage of this provision will be hereinafter set forth in detail.

It has been noted that in the present invention all the principalperipheral threads; that is, the comparatively stiff grain, warp orworking threads of the buffing section are inclined from the radial inthe same relative rotational direction. By this means a dual-purposebuffing section is produced which is adapted to roughing at highestefiiciency when revolved in one direction relative to the slant of thewarp threads and to polishing at equally high efficiency when turnedabout so as to revolve in the other direction relative to the slant ofthe warp threads. The means by which this result is accomplished is asfollows:

Referring to Figure 9, the numeral 35 generally denotes a portion of aweb of fabric suitable for use in the invention, the essentialqualification being that the longitudinal or warp threads 36 have acomparatively high degree of stiffness as contrasted with the softnessof the transverse woof or filler threads 31. This comparative stiffnessof the warp threads may be produced in various ways, such as the use ofheavier or harder-twisted threads in the warp, by using sized threads inthe warp while leaving the woof unsized, or if desired by usingdifferent materials in the warp and woof.

To prepare the fabric for use in forming the improved bufling section,the web 35 is cut into blas or diagonal strips 38 as shown in Figure 10,

4 after which a plurality of the strips 33 are joined end to end as at39, Figure 11, to form a continuous bias strip 40 of length dependent onthe diameter and required number of plies in the buff. It will be seenthat in such a strip 46 all the stiff warp or working threads 36 lieparallel in the same diagonal direction across the singleply strip,While the soft filler threads 37 lie parallel to each other in theopposite diagonal direction.

The single-ply bias strip 46, without pre-folding or gathering, may berolled tightly into a hollow cylinder 4!, Figure 12, in which theworking threads 36 throughout all the spiral plies obviously maintainparallel helical relationship.

To form the final annulus as shown in Figure 1, one end of the cylinder41 is contracted in a series of uniform convolutions by any suitablemethod, for example that shown and described in the above notedcopending application Serial Number 775,302, now Patent No. 2,576,364.It will be noted that each convolution 24 comprises all the plies of thesection, and due to the lack of any gathering, ruilling or folding ofthe individual plies, all the latter fit closely together. Theconvolutions 24 taper outward to become shallow waves 42 at theperiphery, as shown in Figure 2, so that the buffing section comprises aseries of evenly spaced radial corrugations in which the closely fittingplies are mutually supporting throughout. The result of thisconstruction is an annulus having a degree of rigidity and balance notattainable in buffs involving gathering or folding of the individualplies, in which latter type of structures the nece sarily haphazardmutual relationship of the plies prevents them from closely fitting andsupporting ach other.

Since, as previously noted, the relatively stiff Warp threads 36 in thecylinder 4! are all inclined in the same bias direction, and since theannulus is formed by contraction of one end of the cylinder rather thanthe middle thereof, all the threads 36 in the working zone of thecompleted section 26 are inclined from the radial in the same rotationaldirection, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

Due to the structure of the fabric described, substantially all of thework of buffing is performed by the stiff warp threads 36, the soft woofthreads 31' merely serving to support the warp threads, give weavingbody to the fabric, and to retain buffing compounds. The warp threads 36may therefore be termed the working threads, and since they all inclinefrom the radial in the same circular direction as noted, it will beevident that the nature of the work done when the working threads engagethe Work in one angular direction will be different from that producedwhen the angular direction of contact is reversed. These differingeffects are illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 7, the buff 26 is shown revolving in such adirection that the working threads 36 engage a Work piece 54 with arearward slant. In this case the threads yield rearwardly as shown,gliding readily over the surface of the work in a manner adapted ideallyto polishing. When the relative direction of contact is that shown inFigur 8, the forwa d i clination of the relatively stiff working or warpthreads 36 causes them to strike the work piece 54 substantiallyendwise, so that they tend to dig into the work surface and removecomparatively large amounts of material therefrom. With this accuse modeoi: operation, therefore, thebuffis. particu.- larly adapted to roughingor cutting.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention comprisesa dual purpose buff specifically adapt-able. to two differing types ofwork merely: by choosing the direction of. rotation with respect to theslantof the working or warp threads: 36. Since in either roughing orpolishing all the warp threadstfi share the work equally, durabilityvand efficiency are. maximum, and the previously described inherent"firmness and strength of theannulus permit the application of highpressures and high. speeds with attendant. great. improvementv inwork-ratez It will further be seen that the described structure and itsoptimum results could not be attained if the strip from which the buffis made were either gathered or folded prior: to its forming into theannulus. In the case of gathered strips the firm uniform;convolutionsand mutually supporting relation. the plies are prevented aspreviously noted. Similarly in the case of either lon itudinal ortransverse pre-folding unidirectional slo e of. all the peripheral warpor working threads would be rendered impossible, since due to thegeometry of bias cut fabric, warp-threadson opposite sideofsuoh a foldvare necessarily slanted in opposite angular directions. Consequently, ina folded buff. half the peripheral warp threads wouldhe slanted. in onerotational directionand halfin the other, resulting in a hybrid surfaceproperly adapted neither to eiiicient roughing nor polishing, re ardlessof the direction of: rotation. The superiority of the presentdual-purpose inventionover any such structure will be obvious.

Figures 13 to 1'6 illustrate diagrammatically the; formation andoperation of the outer guard plies 2t and M. Prior to forming the fabriccylinder 4! into theannulus as previously set forth, longitudinal slits43 and as are made in the layers oriabric. just-.underlyingthe ends ofthe strip as shown in Figure 13. The inner layer is then sewedtogetherat 45, Figure 14, and a similar seam it joins: the outer layer. Thus theinner and outer layers become cont nuous cylinders. When the cylinder'tlis. formed into the annulus 20. these layers become the continuous guardplies 23 and 2 4 on the outside of the helical layers 21, stillretaining their unidirectional warp thread arrangement.

Figure illustrates diagrammatically the tendency of an unguarded helicalbun to develop flapping and catch ng at its leading edge. When such aboiling section, either operated alone or atone end of a multi-sectionassembly, is revolved in such a direction that an edge l! of a ply illis-exposed in a forward direction, this edge tends to be forced outwardby air pressure and to catch on any work-piece 53 which may engage thecorner-or outer face of the buff. Such catching or flapping would heobviously undesirable from the stanclpoint's both of proper operationanddurabilityof the buff. In. the present structure, however, thecontinuous outer layers 23 and 2% act both as Windshields and guards,against catching of the Work E3, regardless of thedirection of rotation,as illustrated in Figure 16.

The: operation of the fan blades 33 and 33a in a multiple sectionbuirisshown in Figure 6. Referring to thisfigure, the numeral 42designates a rotary spindle on which are mounted a plurality of sections29, held. between end plates 45; and ill. Since the sections 20 are ofthe dual-puronwhether. roughing or polishing is desired. The

central openings 29 of the hub plates 26 fit on the spindle, 43;accurately: centering all sections with the spindl'eand with each other.

The high working speeds and pressure for i which the sections 281 areadapted give rise to considerable, heat, and it is essential that suchheat, be ediciently removed. For this purpose the. end plates it and 50.may be provided with openings When'thebufi is revolved the fanblades oand 33a: form a blast of air through the interior thereof, dissipatingheat from the plates end from the. inner surfaces. of the fabrio.convolutions. t l. Due to the absence of any liner inside theconvolutions, the latter-are direotly exposed. to the moving air, withconsequent maximum heat removal. The provision of blades 33 and 33a asnoted in respect to Figure 6, insures an equally. eli'ective positiveblast when the, sections 2151 are orientated either for polishingor-roughing, a result which. could not'oe achieved if only one set ofblades were provided.

The fabric corrugations fi l-d2, due to their permanent shape and theinherent stability its structure as previouslyset forth are; adapted toact as eiiicicnt centrifugal fan blades-to force air rapidly outw d.Since. as noted, no inner liner restricts the access of air to the innerC011!- volution surfaces, this centrifugal action. draws air outwardthrough the interstices in the. convolutions, providingadditionaleilective cooling.

A further advantage in the corrugated annular structure, lies in thefact that fewer sections are required per linear inch of bufi surfacethan with conventional bulls. Not 01113 does this effect a saving incost, but the open nature of the buffing surface, as provided by theperipheral waves of adjacent sections, causes air to bev carrieddirectly against the surface being worked, with consequent additionaldirect heat. removal.

While the invention has been set forth in. preferred form, it is notlimited to the exact structures illustrated as various modifications maybe made without departing fromthe scope of. the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotary annular buii, in combination, a

lurality of individually pngathered lical of bias-cut fabric, saidfabric comprising rela tively stiff warp threads and relatively softfiller threads, a continuous guard ply of said fabric on eachside. ofsaid plurality of helical. plies, all said warp threads throughout the.outer zoneof said buff including said guard plies being inclined fromthe radial in the same. rotational direction, and means to secure saidplies. directly together throughout the inner circumferential zone. ofsaid bull.

The combination clai seal in claim 1 wherein said. fabric plies formedin a series of uniform convolutions in said inner zone, each of saidconvolutions comprising all said plies in direct closely pressedrelation, whereby plies may mutually supportingthroughout said buff.

3. The con" ination claimed in claim 1 wherein said fabric. plies. areformedin a series of uniform convolutions is said inner zone, each ofsaid convolutions comprising all plies in closely pressed relation,whereby said pliesniay be inutually. supporting throughout said buff,and

wherein said.securingmeansincludes-a hubpl ate engaging one side of saidinner circumferential zone, a clamping ring engaging the other side ofsaid zone, and a plurality of staples clinched in circumferentiallyover-lapping relationship through said hub plate and said fabricconvolutions and said binding ring.

4. In a rotary annular buff, in combination, a plurality of individuallyungathered plies of biascut fabric having relatively stiff Warp threadsand relatively soft filler threads, said plies being formed in a seriesof uniform convolutions each comprising all said plies in the innercircumferential zone of said buff, all said relatively stiff warpthreads in the outer zone of said buff being inclined from the radial inthe same relative rotational direction, and means to secure saidconvolutions together in said inner zone.

5. The combination claimed in claim 4 wherein the outermost of saidplies on both sides of said buff are of continuous construction, wherebysaid plies are guarded. against flapping and catching on work objectsengaging the same.

6. In a rotary annular buff, in combination, a plurality of helicalplies of bias-cut fabric having relatively stiff warp threads andrelatively soft filler threads, said plies in the inner circumferentialzone of said buff being individually ungathered but being collectivelyformed in a series of uniform convolutions each comprising all saidplies, all said relatively stiff warp threads in the outer zone of saidbuff being inclined from the radial in the same relative rotationaldirection, and means to clamp said convolutions together in said innerzone.

'7. In a rotary bufi, in combination, an annulus including a pluralityof helical plies of bias-cut fabric comprising relatively saifi workingthreads and relatively soft filler threads, a continuous guard ply ofsaid fabric on each side of said plurality of helical plies, said pliesbeing formed in a series of uniform convolutions each comprising allsaid plies in the inner circumferential zone of said annulus, all saidworking threads throughout the outer zone of said annulus being inclinedfrom the radial in the same relative rotational direction, a hub plateengaging one side of said inner zone, a ring engaging the other side ofsaid zone, means to clamp said plate and said fabric plies and said ringtogether while retaining the inner edges of said plies exposed,

said hub plate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openingstherein, a shutter movably secured on one side of said plate, and aplurality of pairs of oppositely slants fan blades on said shutter, saidshutter being rotarily adjustable on said plate to bring said bladesselectively into cooperative registry with said openings, whereby airmay be driven through said openings by rotation of said buff in eitherrelative direction.

8. The combination claimed in claim 7 wherein said hub plate is of metaland has a circular central guide opening adapted to engage a shaft. saidshutter having a circular central opening, and wherein the metal of saidplate surrounding said guide opening is extended axially through saidopening in said shutter and flared radially to engage frictionally theexposed face of said shutter.

9. In a rotary bufiing section, in combination, a fabric annulus, ametallic hub plate secured to the inner zone of said annulus and havinga central circular guide opening adapted to engage a shaft, an axialextension of said hub plate surrounding said opening, a shutter platerotatably mounted on said axial extension with one face against said hubplate within said annulus, a radial flange on the end of said extensionand frictionally engaging the other face of said shutter plate, said hubplate having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures, and aplurality of pairs of oppositely inclined fan blades on said shutterplate and adapted to be selectively positioned in cooperative registrywith said apertures by rotation of said shutter plate on said axialextension.

10. In a rotary bufling section, in combination, a fabric annulus, a hubplate secured to the inner zone of said annulus, said plate having acentral guide opening adapted to engage a shaft and also having aplurality of circumferentially spaced air apertures, a shutter movablysecured to said plate and adjustable thereon to control the openingextent of said apertures, and a plurality of pairs of oppositely slantedfan blades on said shutter adapted to be selectively positioned incooperative relation with said apertures by said adjustment of saidshutter.

11. In an annular rotary buff, in combination, a plurality ofindividually unruffled helical plies of bias-cut fabric comprisingrelatively stiff Working threads and relatively soft filler threads, anda continuous guard ply of said fabric on each side of said plurality ofhelical plies, said plies being formed in a series of uniformconvolutions in the inner zone of said buff and tapering to radialcorrugations extendin to the periphery of said buff, all said workingthreads in the outer zone of said bun being inclined from the radial inthe same relative rotational direction, and each of said convolutionscomprising all said layers in closely pressed relation, whereby saidlayers may be mutually supporting throughout said buff.

12. The combination claimed in claim 11 including a hub plate engagingone side of said inner fabric zone, an annular ring engaging the otherside of said zone, and a plurality of staples clinched incircumferentially over-lapping relationship through said plate, fabricconvolutions and ring to secure the same tightly together.

13. An annular buffing section comprising a plurality of plies ofunrufiied bias-cut fabric having relatively stiff warp threads andrelatively soft filler threads, all said stiffer warp threads in theouter zone of said section being inclined from the radial in the samerelative rotational direction.

14. An annular boning section comprising a plurality of individuallyungathered helical plies of bias-cut fabric having relatively stiff warpthreads and relatively soft woof threads, all said warp threads in theouter zone of said section being inclined from the radial in the samerelative rotational direction.

MORRIS SCHLOSS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,106,610 Kreilick et al Jan. 25, 1938 2,333,785 Harrison Nov.9, 1943 2,468,686 Sax Apr. 26, 1949 2A97A97 Hall Feb. 14, 1950 2,553,793Stafford May 22, 1951 2,576,364 Schloss Nov. 27, 1951

